Businesses, some public parking in Cocoa Beach reopen during phase 1
In Brevard County, restaurants and stores along the coast opened back up for phase one. Some public parking also resumed in Cocoa Beach.
Daniel Todd, owner of 4th Street Fillin Station in Cocoa Beach is like many others, trying to serve customers in a new world.
"We're feeling a little bit of relief. Feeling a little bit of anxiousness. Times have been hard. We've got 60 staff that's been out of work," Todd said.
Those in Cocoa Beach are walking a fine line in a town that normally benefits from the many tourists frequenting its beachside locations. They are reopening bit by bit, while trying to be safe.
"Hospitality and tourism for this area is the lifeblood of this community and to get that little bit of spark back, I think is moving in the right direction, but I think we're still taking this day by day,” Todd said.
The Mayor of Cocoa Beach is asking visitors to follow the guidelines and maintain distance.
"I can appreciate wanting to come to the beach after being cooped up inside for so long. We're just asking that everybody not come all at once and we slowly get there," Cocoa Beach Mayor Ben Malik said. Malik is also urging visitors to be mindful of litter and to take their trash with them if trash cans are full.
The public parking locations that reopened Monday are:
- Shepard Park (south area only)
- Fischer Park
- Downtown Parking Garage
- 2nd Street South (ADA Accessible Dune Crossover)
- Meade Avenue (west of Cocoa Beach Pier Entrance)
Malik said parking at beach end streets is still closed, but said city officials are working to make a decision soon. He anticipates that more parking will be opened up before the weekend.